production stages and workflow

Pre-production

The planning and preparation stage in which an idea is developed into a practical plan before filming or recording begins.

Production

The stage in which the planned video, audio, interviews, and other media are actually captured.

Post-production

The stage in which recorded material is organized, edited, refined, and turned into a finished media product.

Principal photography

The main filming or recording period during which the production team captures the planned material.

Media production workflow

The organized sequence of planning, capturing, editing, reviewing, and delivering a media project.

Why are the three stages of production connected?

Decisions made during planning affect what can be captured, while the quality of captured material affects what can be accomplished during editing.

What happens when pre-production is weak?

The crew may experience confusion, missing equipment, scheduling problems, and footage that is difficult to edit.

What is the primary purpose of pre-production?

To establish what is being made and prepare the people, equipment, schedule, and resources needed to produce it.

What is the primary purpose of production?

To capture the material required to create the planned media project.

What is the primary purpose of post-production?

To shape the captured material into a coherent, polished, finished product.

Concept development

The process of creating, exploring, and refining the central idea of a media project.

Script

A written production document that lays out dialogue, actions, scenes, and other information needed to produce a project.

Storyboard

A visual sequence of sketches or images that communicates how planned shots or scenes should look.

Shot list

An organized list of individual shots that the production team needs to capture.

Production schedule

A plan that establishes when the activities and tasks of a production will take place.

Call sheet

A document that communicates the information the crew needs to organize and complete a particular production day.

Production plan

A practical document outlining how a production will be carried out, including locations, personnel, equipment, audio, lighting, safety, and permissions.

Creative brief

A document that summarizes a project's purpose, audience, message, and creative direction.

Production deliverables

The documents and materials created during planning to help prepare for production, such as scripts, treatments, schedules, shot lists, and equipment checklists.

Equipment checklist

A list of the equipment required for a production, used to make sure necessary resources are available.

Location scouting

The process of examining potential filming locations to determine whether they meet a production's needs.

Casting

The process of selecting the actors, performers, or other on-camera talent for a production.

Crew assignments

The process of assigning specific production responsibilities to individual crew members.

Production permit

Official permission required to film in certain locations or under particular circumstances.

Budget

An estimate and plan for the money and other financial resources needed to complete a production.